Thursday, August 18, 2022

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

Galatians 6:1

Let’s be frank, when we are going down these long, dark roads of life, we can take some paths that lead us into sin. Many times, the enemy uses these seasons to discount how good our God is. He did it with Eve in the garden when he convinced Eve that eating the fruit would not cause death – only open her eyes to the knowledge of good and evil (Gen 3:2-3). He talked her into thinking that God was withholding something good from her. It was the same with Jesus when He was tested in the wilderness. He took Jesus to a high mountain and showed him all of the kingdoms of the world and told him he would give it all to him, if he would worship him (Matt 4:8-9). He is the great manipulator who makes you think that God has not given you His best – that there is something bigger, better, or greater.

If we are honest with ourselves, he has done it with us. He told you that when you took something that was not yours or coveted something that you wanted. He might have convinced you that the path God has you on will not get you to your very best life. God’s methods are outdated and old-fashioned. These schemes of his can take us down a dark, lonely path, ending up in horrible predicaments.

Despite how we get to these sinful places, we need God to get us out of them. We have all needed restoration. In Galatians 6:1, there is a reference to restoration when we sin. This type of restoration requires the work of your brothers and sisters by God’s Spirit. Not only should we allow our spiritual brothers and sisters to restore us when we have fallen into a sin, but we should also be ready to restore others.

PRAYER: Father, teach me how to do the work of restoration. Give me eyes to see myself, as you see me. I want you to fix the broken pieces. If I have become too proud to allow my spiritual brothers and sisters in my life, help me become humble. In the name of Jesus, I thank you. Amen.